Cars Before Cars (A Survey of Automobiles before 1885)

Friday, February 11th, 2011
8pm

A lecture by Jason Torchinsky

The rich, slick-haired fatcats at Mercedes-Benz have long been supporting the idea that Karl Benz’ 1885 three-wheeler was the birth of the automobile. Most general-interest automobile books and coffee table car books echo this idea as well, leaving the truth a bit harder to find. This lecture is about blowing the lid off that old, common notion and exploring motoring’s rich and weird heritage prior to 1885. We’ll even help you decide what car to buy when you find yourself in the 1860s!